Article display device



Aug. 7, 1934. L. BERT 1,968,880

ARTICLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 19s: 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 .lmllllllllllm HWIIIIIIHHHHHHHHIW vIIIIIHHIIIHH' 4 I TM INVENTOR in; ATTORNEY 1 1.. EBERT ARTICLE DISPLAY DEVICE Filed Jan. 10, 1935 Sheets-Sheet Eiil l Patented Aug. 7, 1934 ARTICLE DISPLAY DEVICE Ludwig Ebert, New York, N. Y., assignor of onehalf to Oberly & Newell, 545 Pearl Street Corp, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 10, 1933, Serial No. 651,004

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to article display devices of the kind similar to that disclosed in my Patent No. 1,934,846 issued on an application filed on or about June 18, 1932, and which is adapted to permit shipment and handling of a display stand, stacked with actual articles of merchandise, in common carriers, in such a way that when such stand is removed from its carrier, the device is immediately ready for display.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide a structure, adapted to be stacked with articles, or containers therefor, in such a way that each article or container is readily accessible and replaceable. V

Another obejct of this invention is to provide an article display device of an attractive configura-' in such device an arrangement or combination of a series of upright members, adapted to interlock with one another and/or produce lockable configurations, and a series of article supporting platforms, adapted to interlock with the uprights and to be partially supported by them, and means for-securing the base portions of the uprights for a space left unfilled by either the stand or the articles carried by the latter, when the device is placed into a carton or other kinds of carriers.

A still further object of myinvention is to provide in combination with my device an attachable and detachable display element, adapted to be secured to the uppermost platform of my device, when the latter is on display, and further adapted to serve as guard for the device during shipment.

The foregoing and still other objects will become more readily apparent from the ensuing description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, the latter illustrating a preferred form of my invention, but by no means intended to limit the same to the actual costruction, and in which Figure l is a perspective view of my complete device, stacked with cartons of merchandise, as it appears while being displayed.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a common carrier, containing my device as held within the car rier by a spacer member, and showing the display element collapsed and covering the uppermost platform of the stand. 7

Another object of my invention is to provide Figure 3 is a-perspective view of the upright members of my device, without platforms.

Figure 4 illustrates the base portion locking member or base frame of my device.

Figure 5 is a development of one of the longitudinal upright members.

Figure 6 is a development of the rear, transverse upright member.

Figure 7 is a development of the intermediate, transverse upright member. I

Figure 8 is a development of the front upright member. 7

Figure9is a plan view of the lowermost or base. platform of my device.

1 Figure 10 is a planview of its second platform; Figure 11 is a plan View of the third platform. Figure 12 is a plan view of the top platform, and Figure 13 is a plan View of a special or compensating element or filler, adapted to be interposed between thebase and second platforms.

' Referring now specifically to the figures, numeral 10 denotes a carton or common carrier of a conventional construction, into which is placed for shipment my display stand, stacked with articldcontainers 11, and which is held against movement by a spacer member 12, comprising a substantially X-shaped' structure, the legs of which are interlocking with one another at 13. Sincethe arrangement of my device is of steplike formation, the-lower leg portions '14 of the spacer are somewhat narrower than the upper leg portions 15. On top of the device display member 16 may be observed inits collapsed posi tion, preparatory to closing container 10.: This display element is provided with 'two' lugs 17,1 adapted to register with openings 18 of the uppermost platform (Figure 12) The rear edge of the display element is provided with recesses '18, adapted to register with the locking heads 19 of the longitudinal upright members 20 (Figures 3 and 5), when the display element is in its position shown in Figure l. l l

The construction of "my device can be best seen from Figure 3', in which are shown two longitudinal upright members, illustrated, developed, in Figure .5, which'consists of a rear portion 21,"

a middle portion 22 and a front portion 23. Rear portion 21 is provided with a vertical slot 24, ex-

tending to approximately midway of the hight of 1 this portion. It will be observed that the rear,

middle and front portions are provided with steplike supporting edges. Numerals25, 25',.25 and 125 denote the lowermost supporting edges of this upright member, while numerals 26, 26, 26 and 126 denote thenext higher supporting edges, and

their respective sequence.

numerals 27, 2'7, 27" and 127 denote the third series of supporting edges. The uppermost supporting edges are denoted at 28 and 28'. Next to the lowermost supporting edges 25', 25 and 125, there will be observed recesses 28, 29' and 30, the purpose of which will be explained presently.

As shown in Figure 3, I employ two longitudinal members 20 in parallel relation to one another. In interlocking engagement with these two members are several transverse members, of which the one shown in Figure 6, and denoted by numeral 31, represents the rear transverse member. The latter is provided with two longitudinal slots 31, extending downwards, from the uppermost edges to about the center of the member, and corresponding to slots 24 of longitudinal members 20. The rear member also is provided with step-like resting edges 32, 33, 34 and 35. Next to the outer, lowermost resting edges 32 are provided recesses 36.

The intermediate vertical member shown in Figure l, and denoted by numeral 37, has two upright extensions, similar to those illustrated in member 31, and is also provided with step-like resting edges 38, 39, 40 and 41. The front transverse member, shown in Figure 8, and denoted at 42, has similarly shaped upright portions, except that they are shorter, but they are again provided with corresponding seating edges 43, 44 and 45. Members 3'? and 42 have, at their lowermost outer supporting edges, recesses 46 and 47, respectively, while their bottom edges are intersected by recesses 48 and 49, respectively. Longitudinal upright members 20 are provided with rear locking heads 19, intermediate locking heads 50 and front locking heads 51. Rear transverse member 31 is provided with outer locking heads 52, and intermediate transverse member 3'? is shown, to have locking heads 53. These locking heads are intended for interlocking and holding in firm connection the respective platforms adapted to be placed over and interlock with the upright members.

In assembling the transverse members with the longitudinal upright members, intermediate member 3'7 is first placed with its bottom recesses, 48 into engagement with recesses 29 of longitudinal uprights 20. Then front transverse member 42 is brought with its bottom recesses 49 into engagement with recesses 29 of longitudinal members 20. The next step consists in placing rear transverse member 31 into interlocking engagement with rear extensions 21, so that their respective slots 32 and 24 register.

" When the assembly of the uprights is completed, their base portions are locked together against movement by the base frame, shown in Figure 4. The lower or base portions of all transverse upright members, and the front ends 'of the longitudinal upright members are provided with recesses denoted, respectively, at 36, 46, 4'7 and 30, which recesses are adapted to interlock with corresponding recesses 36', 46', 47' and 30' of the base frame or base locking member 54. This frame is now secured to the bases of all upright members. Following the attachment of frame member 54, platforms 55, 56, 5'7 and 58 are slipped over the uprights in Base platform 55 is put in place first and is adapted to rest upon the upper edge of frame member 54, and upon the lowermost resting edges of all upright members. These edges are denoted for the longi- "tudinal upright members at 25, 25, 25" and 125 for the rear member at 32; for the intermediate member, at 38; and for the front member, at 43. All these edges are flush with the upper edge of frame member 54. Platform 55 is provided with two large Tshaped cut-outs or recesses 59, two smaller T-shaped recesses 60 and two cross-shaped recesses 61. etween the larger pair of T-shaped recesses 59 are provided slots 62. When securing base platform 55 to the upright structure, cross-shaped recesses 61 are slipped over rear extensions 21 of longitudinal uprights 20 and the extensions of the rear, transverse member 31, which extensions interlock in the form of a cross. At the same time, the smaller if-shaped recesses are slipped over the upright portions of intermediate transverse member 37 and the intermediate extensions 22 of longitudinal member 23. Then the platform is pushed downwards and over the front extensions 23 of the longitudinal uprights and the upright extensions of front, transverse member 42. By further downward movement of the platform, the latter is brought to rest upon the lower resting edges of the base portions of all uprights and upon the upper edge of frame member 54.

The next step in assembling the device consists of placing filler member 63 with prongs or extensions 64 into slots 62 of platform 55. Now platform 56 is connected with the upright structure in similar manner to that described in connection with platform 55. This second platform is also provided with cross-shaped recesses 65, small T-shaped recesses 66, and larger T- shaped recesses 67, which recesses are successively slipped over th various portions of the uprights. Slots 68, provided in this platform, are designed to register with upper extensions 69 of filler member 63. Platform 56 is adapted to rest upon edges 26 to 126 of the longitudinal uprights, and upon resting edges 33, 39 and 44 of the transverse uprights. Platform 5'7 is designed to rest upon edges 27 to 127 of the longitudinal uprights and upon edges 34, 48 and 45 of the transverse uprights.

Now top platform 58 is secured to the upright structure. This platform is provided with crossshaped recesses or hrough-cuts '74 and T-shaped recesses 75; These recesses are adapted to be passed, respectively, over heads 19 and 50 of the longitudinal uprights, and locking heads 52 and 33 of the rear and intermediate transverse uprights. These locking heads are provided with undercuts which are adapted to interlock with the edges of recesses 74 and '25 of the top platform against the latters disengagement from the upright structure. Top platform 58 reposes upon the uppermost resting edges 28 and 28 of the longitudinal uprights, and edges 35 and 41 of the rear and intermediate transverse up right, respectively. As previously described, recesses 18 are provided in platform 58 for the purpose of receiving lugs 17 of advertising member 16.

The assembled structure of uprights, base frame 54 and the various platforms, including filler member 63, placed between platforms 55 and 56, is now ready to receive a plurality of cartons, indicated at 11. The arrangement of my device in the structure shown, is such, that thirtysix cartons are placed therein, that is, in the upper tier are arranged ten cartons, at the intermediate tier twelve and at the lowermost sections, fourteen cartons. Everyone of the cartons is directly exposed to view and may be removed from the stand without in an manner influencing the arrangement of theother cartons. Obviously, each removed carton may be replaced without disturbing the rest of the cartons still remaining in the stand. The thickness of the material of the various uprights form spacers between the cartons, thereby providing sufficient room between the containers for facilitating the gripping of each individual carton when it isdesired to remove it from thestand. 1

' The construction of the base portion of my device and the interconnection of the'different parts provide a very convenient and sturdy support for the merchandise, and permit frequent and extensive use, and even relatively rough handling of the stand. When the device is to be shipped. advertising element 16 is removed and collapsed, the stand, stacked with merchandise, is placed into carton 10, in the manner shown in Figure 2, and spacer member 12 is inserted so as to compensate for the spaces left between the intermediate and upper tiers and carton 10. Then advertising element 16 is placed over the top platform and the carton is closed.

From the drawings it will be observed, that articles or containers of merchandise, marked 11, are arranged peripherally upon each tier, bounded by two platforms, and that the structure of the uprights and filler member 63, serve as backing for the cartons, and prevent them from moving inwards. Due to the separation of the containers by the intervening thicknesses of the uprights, and due to the aforesaid backing, each individual carton or piece of merchandise is made readily accessible, removable or/and replaceable, without disturbing the stacked merchandise still remaining in the stand.

The foregoing description treats the specific structure shown in the drawings. It is quite evi- I dent, however, that the same, or a similar steplike arrangement of uprights and platforms may be employed in making stands of a multiple or extended structure, employing the same principles of interconnections between parts. Thus, the stand illustrated may form one half or one quarter of a similar, larger stand, or may represent the upper structure of a taller stand. All these modifications are too obvious to require specific illustration, and I therefore reserve for myself the right to add or change, or otherwise improve article display stands, in which the basic interconnection between the different parts, as stated herein, is employed. Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. An article display stand, comprising a group of interlocking upright members, a plurality of article supporting platforms and a top platform, all in interlocking engagement with said upright members, a base frame securing the base portions of all upright members together, said platforms being designed to extend laterally beyond said upright members, to facilitate the placement of articles between the platforms so that the outer faces of the articles register with the outer contours of the platforms disposed above a row of articles.

2. In an article display device, the combination with interconnected and interlocking upright members, having step-like resting edges, of a plurality of article supporting platforms reposing upon said resting edges and interlocking with said upright members, and locking heads provided at the upper ends of some of said members for locking said platforms in place.

3. In an article display device, the combination with a group of, transversely interconnecting, step-formed uprights, of a plurality of articlesupporting platforms in interlocking engagement with said uprights atdifferent levels,.whereby said uprights are kept at fixed positions relative to one another, a locking frame in engagement with the base-portionsof said uprights, the lowermost of the platforms reposing upon said frame.

4. An article display device, comprising in combination,- atplurality of longitudinally disposed upright members arranged substantially parallel toone another, a plurality of transversely disposed upright members also substantially parallel toone another and, in interlocking engagement with the longitudinal uprights, all upright members having step-like arranged resting edges, a plurality of variously sized platforms, arranged in tiers and reposing in step-like order upon corresponding resting edges of the uprights.

I 5. In an article display device, a plurality of interconnected upright members, each member having a base portion and plurality of spaced divisions extending from the latter, said upright members comprising a group of longitudinal and a group of transverse members, each of the longitudinal and upright members having means for facilitating their interlocking with one another, all members provided with a plurality of seating edges arranged in series of step-like formations, some of the upper ends of the uprights having locking heads, a base frame in engagement with the base portions of all upright members, a plurality of article supporting platforms resting in step-like formation upon the various resting edges of the upright members, a top platform reposing upon the uppermost series of resting edges and held in place by some of the looking heads of the upright members.

6. An article display device for the purpose described, comprising in combination, two groups of longitudinally and corresponding transversely disposed, substantially parallel upright members, all having base portions and a plurality of upright extensions, all longitudinal members in interlocking engagement with their corresponding transverse members, step-formed resting edges provided with each of the members, a common base frame member in engagement with the base portions of all members, a base platform reposing upon said frame member and also upon the lowermost resting edges of said base portions, a top platform connected with the upper end structure of the upright members and reposing upon the uppermost resting edges thereof, a plurality of intermediate platforms reposing in step-like formation upon the respective resting edges provided with the upright members, all of said platforms having through-cuts, adapted to slip over and hold together the various upright members in their respective interlocking positions, the upper ends of some of the upright members provided with looking heads, adapted to engage and to hold some of the platforms against disconnection from the rest of the structure.

I. An article display device for the purpose described, as set forth in claim six, all of the platforms being so arranged relative to one another, as to facilitate the placing of articles or article containers between them, the material of the upright members forming spacing provision between the articles placed upon the platforms, for the purpose of separating the articles and for facilitating the removal or replacement of anyone single article, without aifecting the position of the remaining articles, said platforms being designed to extend laterally beyond said upright members to facilitate the placement of articles between the platforms so that the outer faces of the articles register with the outer contours of the platforms disposed above a row of articles.

8. An article display device, as set forth in claim six, the step-like arrangement of the platforms, and their spacing between the several series of platform resting edges, provided with said upright members, being so dimensioned as to facilitate the placing between each two adjacent platforms of cartons or articles of merchandise in continuous rows about said upright members in a correspondingly step-like formation, the thickness of material of the upright members separating such cartons or articles, thus facilitating the handling of each individual carton or article without disturbing the remaining mer-- chandise, a filler member interposed between and in engagement with the lowermost platform and the one immediately thereabove, the structure of the uprights and said filler member constituting backings for said merchandise, and being adapted to prevent the latter from moving inwards and out of reach.

9. A display device of the class described, comprising in combination an upright structure comprising a plurality of interlocking members arranged in parallel groups, one group disposed transversely to the other group, platform supporting means arranged at different levels of said members, a plurality of step-like arranged platforms reposing upon their corresponding supporting means, and adapted to lock in place said upright structure and to interlock with some of the members, said device adapted to receive a. plurality of articles of merchandise, arranged in single rows, each article being spaced from one another, thereby being made accessible for removal or replacement.

LUDWIG EBERT. 

